Display system

ABSTRACT

A display system includes a housing member which has space therein, a plurality of light source units which are placed in the space, a diffusion member which is disposed on the light source units, a liquid crystal display panel which is disposed on the diffusion member, an infrared camera unit which is interposed between the liquid crystal display panel and the diffusion member and photograph a front region of the liquid crystal display panel, and a plurality of infrared light sources which emit infrared light to the front region of the liquid crystal display panel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No.10-2008-0008506 filed on Jan. 28, 2008, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a display system, and moreparticularly, to a display system including a flat display panel usingsurface computing technology.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Surface computing technology enables a computer to receive informationabout photographs, documents or objects through a screen thereof orreceive information about touches on the screen. The receivedinformation is processed by the surface computing technology. A displaysystem using the surface computing technology displays images on ascreen thereof by using a projector and senses the motion of a user oran object by using an infrared camera. Thus, the display system displaysan image corresponding to specified data on the screen thereof. Thedisplay system senses the motion of a user or an object outside thescreen and receives data corresponding to the sensed motion.

When a liquid crystal display (LCD) is used as the screen of the displaysystem, the LCD requires an external light source such as a backlight toprovide light to a liquid crystal display panel while the surfacecomputing technology requires an infrared camera. In addition, adiffusion plate is interposed between the backlight and the liquidcrystal display to enhance luminance uniformity and visibility of theliquid crystal display panel. However, when the diffusion plate and theliquid display panel are coupled to each other, and the diffusion plateis placed under the liquid crystal display panel, infrared light isdiffused by the diffusion plate. As a result, the object detectioncapability of the infrared camera deteriorates. If the diffusion plateis removed to enhance the object detection capability of the infraredcamera, the luminance uniformity and visibility of the liquid crystaldisplay panel deteriorate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a display systemimplements surface computing technology, enhances luminance uniformityof a liquid crystal display (LCD), improves object detection capabilityof an infrared camera, and improves assembling qualities.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a displaysystem includes a housing member which has space therein, a plurality oflight source units which are placed in the space, a diffusion memberwhich is disposed on the light source units, a liquid crystal displaypanel which is disposed on the diffusion member, an infrared camera unitwhich is interposed between the liquid crystal display panel and thediffusion member and photograph a front region of the liquid crystaldisplay panel, and a plurality of infrared light sources which emitinfrared light to the front region of the liquid crystal display panel.

The infrared camera unit may be placed diagonally under the liquidcrystal display panel, and an angle formed by a center view-angle lineof the infrared camera unit and a bottom surface of the liquid crystaldisplay panel may be about 40° to about 70°.

The angle formed by the center view-angle line of each of the infraredcamera unit and the bottom surface of the liquid crystal display panelmay be about 50° to about 60°.

The system may further include a mold frame which is coupled to an upperregion of the housing member and fixes the liquid crystal display panel;an image controller which controls the operation of the liquid crystaldisplay panel, and a computing unit which controls the operation of theinfrared camera units and the infrared light sources and controls theimage controller based on outputs of the infrared camera units.

The mold frame may include a body which is shaped like a four-sidedpolygon and fixes and supports the liquid crystal display panel, andmold sidewalls which extend downward from edges of the body,respectively, and have lower ends coupled to the housing member, whereinthe infrared camera units are placed under the body of the mold frame.

The mold frame may include a fixing protrusion which protrudes from aregion of each of the mold sidewalls between the housing member and thebody or a concave groove which is cut into a region of each of the moldsidewalls between the housing member and the body, wherein each of theinfrared camera units is fixed onto the fixing protrusion or the concavegroove, and a surface of the fixing protrusion or the concave groove,which contacts each of the infrared camera units, tilts.

The infrared light sources may be disposed under the diffusion member,on the mold sidewalls of the mold frame, or on the fixing protrusion orthe concave groove.

A portion of an upper end region of the housing member, which is coupledto the mold frame, may protrude, and each of the infrared camera unitsmay be placed on the protruding portion.

The space within the housing member may be larger than the liquidcrystal display panel, and an angle formed by a virtual line, whichconnects a lower end of the liquid crystal display panel and an upperend of the housing member, and the bottom surface of the liquid crystaldisplay panel may be about 30° to about 55°.

A plurality of infrared cameras may be placed adjacent to each longside, each short side, or long and short sides of the liquid crystaldisplay panel, and each of the infrared camera units may include amounting substrate and an infrared camera mounted on the mountingsubstrate.

Each of the infrared camera units may photograph an area, whichcorresponds to at least half of a length of a long side of the liquidcrystal display panel, if the infrared camera units are placed adjacentto the short side of the liquid crystal display panel, and each of theinfrared camera units may photograph an area, which corresponds to atleast half of a length of a short side of the liquid crystal displaypanel, if the infrared cameras units are placed adjacent to the longside of the liquid crystal display panel.

The infrared light sources may be mounted on the mounting substrate.

The system may further include a cover unit which covers upper edgeregions of the liquid crystal display panel, and the infrared lightsources may be disposed under the cover unit.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a displaysystem includes a liquid crystal display panel which displays images, ahousing member which includes a plurality of sidewalls coupled to eachother to form a pillar whose lower region is smaller than an upperregion thereof, an upper mold frame which is coupled to an upper regionof the housing member and thus fixes the liquid crystal display panel, aplurality of diffusion members which are disposed adjacent to thesidewalls, respectively, and exposes a portion of a lower region of thehousing member, a plurality of light source units which are interposedbetween the sidewalls and the diffusion members, respectively, and aninfrared detector which is disposed in the exposed portion of the lowerregion of the housing member and detects an object located in a frontregion of the liquid crystal display panel by using infrared light.

The housing member may include a bottom plate which is coupled to thesidewalls in the lower region thereof, and the infrared detector mayinclude an infrared camera which detects infrared light reflected by theobject in the front region of the liquid crystal display panel, infraredlight sources which are disposed around the infrared camera and emitinfrared light, and a mounting substrate on which the infrared cameraand the infrared light sources are mounted, wherein the mountingsubstrate may be disposed on the bottom plate, and a fixing groove, intowhich each of the diffusion members is inserted, or a fixing protrusion,which supports and fixes each of the diffusion members, may be formed ineach of the mounting substrate and the upper mold frame.

The system may further include a lower mold frame which is coupled tothe sidewalls in the lower region of the housing member, wherein theinfrared detector includes an infrared camera which detects infraredlight reflected by the object in the front region of the liquid crystaldisplay panel, infrared light sources which are disposed around theinfrared camera and emit infrared light, and a mounting substrate onwhich the infrared camera and the infrared light sources are mounted,wherein the mounting substrate is inserted into the lower mold frame,and a fixing groove, into which each of the diffusion members isinserted, or a fixing protrusion, which supports and fixes each of thediffusion members, is formed in each of the upper mold frame and thelower mold frame.

The infrared detector may include an infrared camera which detectsinfrared light reflected by the object in the front region of the liquidcrystal display panel, infrared light sources which are disposed aroundthe infrared camera and emit infrared light; and a mounting substrate onwhich the infrared camera and the infrared light sources are mounted,wherein the mounting substrate is coupled to the sidewalls in the lowerregion of the housing member, and a fixing groove, into which each ofthe diffusion members is inserted, or a fixing protrusion, whichsupports and fixes each of the diffusion members, is formed in each ofthe mounting substrate and the upper mold frame.

Each of the sidewalls may be shaped like a trapezoidal plate whose upperside is longer than a lower side, and at least part of each of thesidewalls may be inserted into a slit-shaped concave groove of eachcoupler.

Each of the light sources units may include a plurality of lamp unitswhich have the same tube current; and one or more inverter units whichsupply power to the lamp units, wherein each of the lamp units uses anyone of a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL), an external electrodefluorescent lamp (EEFL), a light-emitting diode, and a bar-typesubstrate on which a plurality of light-emitting diodes are mounted as alight source, and a density of light sources per unit area is increasedfrom an upper side region of each of the sidewalls towards a lower sideregion thereof.

The housing member may further include a partition wall which partitionsthe lower region of the housing member into a plurality of regions, aninner diffusion member which is disposed adjacent to the partition wall,and an inner light source unit which is interposed between the partitionwall and the inner diffusion member, wherein the infrared detectorincludes a plurality of infrared detection members which are disposed inthe regions into which the lower region of the housing member ispartitioned.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be understood in moredetail from the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a display system according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a display system according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a display system accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a display systemaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of one of sidewalls of a housing member accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a display system accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a region K of FIG. 6 according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are enlarged views of the region K of FIG. 6 according toexemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a display system accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of one of sidewalls of a housing member accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a display system accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a display system accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a display systemaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a display systemaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of one of sidewalls of a housing member and aplurality of light source units according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a display system according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a display system accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a method of disposing a plurality ofinfrared cameras according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing image distortion of a tilting infraredcamera according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a plan view of a display system according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 22 and 23 are plan views of display systems according exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of theinvention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as being limited to theembodiments set forth herein. It will be understood that when an elementor layer is referred to as being “on” another element or layer, theelement or layer can be directly on another element or layer orintervening elements or layers.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a display system according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspectiveview of a display system according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of adisplay system according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a displaysystem according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 5 is a plan view of one of sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d(collectively indicated by reference numeral 1110) of a housing member1100 and a plurality of light source units 1300 according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, a display system includes a liquidcrystal display panel 100, which displays images, an image controller200 controlling the operation of the liquid crystal display panel 100, abacklight assembly 1000 providing light to the liquid crystal displaypanel 100, an infrared detector 2000 sensing the motion of an object (ora user) outside the liquid crystal display panel 100 by using infraredlight, and a computing unit 3000 controlling the operation of theinfrared detector 2000 and controlling the image controller 200 based onan output of the infrared detector 2000.

The liquid crystal display panel 100 displays a corresponding image inresponse to an image signal received from the image controller 200. Thebacklight assembly 1000 provides light to the liquid crystal displaypanel 100 so that an image can be displayed on the liquid crystaldisplay panel 100. The infrared detector 2000 projects infrared light ina direction from an inner side of the liquid crystal display panel 100toward an outer side thereof. The infrared detector 2000 senses aninfrared light reflected by an object, and generates a sensing signal.Then, the generated sensing signal is provided to the computing unit3000.

The computing unit 3000 generates a control signal in response to thesensing signal and provides the generated control signal to the imagecontroller 200. The image controller 200 provides an image signal, basedon the received control signal, to the liquid crystal display panel 100so that an image, based on the result of sensing the infrared light, canbe displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 100.

Referring to FIG. 1, when an object 10 is located in a front region ofthe liquid crystal display panel 100 (that is, located at a position A),the infrared detector 2000 generates a sensing signal, corresponding tothe object 10, in real time by sensing infrared light reflected by theobject 10 and provides the generated sensing signal to the computingunit 3000. The front region of the liquid crystal display panel 100refers to a region above (in front of) the liquid crystal display panel100 and a top surface thereof. That is, the infrared detector 2000 cansense not only objects located on the top surface of the liquid crystaldisplay panel 100 but also objects located in front of the top surfaceof the liquid crystal display panel 100.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sensing signal may be an image datasignal. The computing unit 3000 processes image data to identify, forexample, the shape, outline, color, or current coordinates of the object10 and generates a control signal accordingly. The control signalcorresponding to the shape, outline, color and current coordinates ofthe object 10 is provided to the image controller 200. Then, the imagecontroller 200 provides an image signal, based on the control signal, tothe liquid crystal display panel 100. Accordingly, an object imagecorresponding to the object 10 (that is, an image located at the sameposition (coordinates) as the object 10 and having a similar shape andcolor to those of the object 10) is displayed on the liquid crystaldisplay panel 100.

Referring to FIG. 1, if the object 10 is moved from the location A to alocation B, the infrared detector 2000 generates a sensing signal,corresponding to the motion of the object 10, in real time by sensinginfrared light reflected by the object 10, and provides the generatedsensing signal to the computing unit 3000. Then, the computing unit 3000processes image data to identify new coordinates of the object 10 andgenerates a control signal accordingly. That is, the computing unit 3000provides the control signal, corresponding to the shape, color and newcoordinates of the object 10, to the image controller 200. Accordingly,the image controller 200 provides an image signal, based on the controlsignal, to the liquid crystal display panel 100. As such, the motion ofthe object image is presented on the liquid crystal display panel 100.

Since the infrared detector 2000 senses the motion of the object 10 inreal time, a control signal containing data (new coordinates of theobject 10), corresponding to the motion of the object 10, is alsogenerated in real time. Accordingly, the image controller 200 providesan image signal, based on the generated control signal, to the liquidcrystal display panel 100 in real time. Therefore, the object imagedisplayed on the liquid crystal display panel 100 and the real object 10move in the same manner.

In an exemplary embodiment, the computing unit 3000 processes shape,color and coordinate information of a sensed object. In an exemplaryembodiment, the computing unit 3000 may process information havingvarious data values depending on modules programmed therein. Forexample, the size of an image displayed on a screen may vary accordingto the motion of an object. For example, an image different from theobject may be displayed on the screen.

Referring to FIGS. 2 through 3, the liquid crystal display panel 100includes an upper substrate 110 having color filters and commonelectrodes and a lower substrate 120 having thin-film transistors (TFTs)and pixel electrodes. A liquid crystal layer is interposed between theupper substrate 110 and the lower substrate 120.

A light-shielding pattern and red (R), green (G) and blue (B) filtersare formed on the upper substrate 110. The R, G and B filters are colorpixels expressing predetermined colors as light passes therethrough.Common electrodes, comprising a transparent conductor such as indium tinoxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO), are disposed on thelight-shielding pattern and the color filters. In an exemplaryembodiment, the light-shielding pattern and the color filters may beformed on the lower substrate 120.

The lower substrate 120 includes a plurality of pixel electrodes,arranged in a matrix, and the TFTs connected to the pixel electrodes,respectively. A source terminal of a TFT is connected to a data line,and a gate terminal of the TFT is connected to a gate line. When aturn-on voltage is applied to a gate line, TFTs connected to the gateline are turned on. If an image signal is transmitted to the turned-onTFTs via a data line, pixel electrodes connected to the turned-on TFTsare charged. Thus, an electric field is formed between the pixelelectrodes of the lower substrate 120 and the common electrodes of theupper substrate 110. The electric field changes the arrangement ofliquid crystals interposed between the upper substrate 110 and the lowersubstrate 120. As the arrangement of the liquid crystals changes, lighttransmittance is also changed. As such, an image can be displayed.

In an exemplary embodiment, a polarizing sheet may be attached to a topsurface of the upper substrate 110 and a bottom surface of the lowersubstrate 120. The polarizing sheet may also be omitted to enhance thetransmittance of infrared light (that is, the object detectioncapability of the infrared detector 2000).

The image controller 200 includes a control board 220 on which variouselements for controlling the liquid crystal display panel 100 aremounted and a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) 210 electricallyconnecting the control board 220 to the liquid crystal display panel100. In an exemplary embodiment, the elements mounted on the controlboard 220 may include a voltage generator generating an internalvoltage, a grayscale voltage generator generating a grayscale voltage, adata driver providing an image signal to a data line, a gate driverproviding a turn-on voltage to a gate line, and a controller controllingthe operations of the voltage generator, the grayscale voltagegenerator, the data driver and the gate driver.

A signal converter, converting an image received from an external systeminto a signal suitable for the liquid crystal display panel 100, may bemounted on the control board 220. The signal converter and the controlboard 220 may be manufactured in the form of integrated circuit (IC)chips and may be electrically connected to electrodes mounted on thecontrol board 220. In an exemplary embodiment, the gate driver and thedata driver may be mounted on the lower substrate 120 of the liquidcrystal display panel 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the gate drivermay be directly integrated on the lower substrate 120.

The backlight assembly 1000 includes the housing member 1100, an uppermold frame 1200, the light source units 1300, and a plurality ofdiffusion members 1400. The housing member 1100 has an open top end andhas space therein. The upper mold frame 1200 is disposed on the housingmember 110 and fixes the liquid crystal display panel 100. The lightsource units 1300 are respectively disposed adjacent to a plurality ofsidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d (collectively indicated by referencenumeral 1110) of the housing member 1100. The diffusion members 1400 aredisposed on and adjacent to the respective light source units 1300.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing member 1100 includes thesidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d, a plurality of couplers 1120 a through1120 d (collectively indicated by reference numeral 1120) coupling thesidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d to each other, and a bottom plate 1130disposed under the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d coupled to each otherby the couplers 1120 a through 1120 d. The housing member 1100 is shapedlike a hollow, upside-down truncated quadrangular pyramid. That is, thesize of an upper aperture of the housing member 1100 is greater thanthat of the bottom plate 1130 of the housing member 1100. Referring toFIG. 3, a cross section of the housing member 1100 is approximatelyshaped like an inverted triangle.

In an exemplary embodiment, the housing member 1100 has the foursidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d, and each of the sidewalls 1110 athrough 1110 d is shaped like a trapezoidal plate whose upper side islonger than a lower side. The sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d accordingto an exemplary embodiment are coupled and fixed to each other by thecouplers 1120 a through 1120 d. In an exemplary embodiment, each of thefour couplers 1120 a through 1120 d couples and fixes two adjacent onesof the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d to each other. Each of thecouplers 1120 a through 1120 d is “L” shaped as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4and has concave grooves 1121, shaped like slits, in both side surfacesthereof. The sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d are inserted into and fixedto the concave grooves 1121.

When the housing member 1100 is shaped like a quadrangular pyramidhaving space therein, it is difficult to manufacture the sidewalls 1110a through 1110 d of the housing member 1100 as a single body. That is,it is difficult and costly to manufacture a hollow quadrangular pyramidby an injection or molding process. Therefore, in an exemplaryembodiment, the four sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d of the housingmember 1100 are manufactured as separate plates and then coupled andfixed to each other by the couplers 1120 a through 1120 d to form thebody of the housing member 1100 shaped like a quadrangular pyramid.Since the separate sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d are inserted into theconcave grooves 1121 of the couplers 1120 a through 1120 d to couple andfix them with each other, the process of manufacturing (assembling) thebody of the housing member 1100, shaped like a quadrangular pyramid, issimplified. Since the couplers 1120 a through 1120 d function aspillars, transformation (such as twisting (bending) or movement) of thesidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d can be prevented, and the strength ofthe housing member 1100 can be increased.

The couplers 1120 a through 1120 d and the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110d may be coupled to each other by coupling members (not shown) such as,for example, adhesives, screws, bolts or hooks. For example, a sidesurface of each of the couplers 1120 a through 1120 d may be coupled toa surface of one of the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d by an adhesive(or an adhesive tape). In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality ofsidewalls may be manufactured as a single body, and then the body may bebent. After that, portions of the bent body may be coupled to each otherby couplers to form the body of a housing member shaped like a hollowquadrangular pyramid. For example, two sidewalls are manufactured as asingle plate. Then, the single plate is bent to form a sidewall bodywhich is L shaped. Two sidewalls manufactured as described above arecoupled to each other by couplers to form the body of a housing membershaped like a quadrangular pyramid.

Upper ends of the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d, coupled to each otherby the couplers 1120 a through 1120 d as described above, are coupled tothe upper mold frame 1200, and lower ends of the sidewalls 1110 athrough 1110 d are coupled to the bottom plate 1130. Thus, a firstsidewall coupler 1111 is formed in an upper region of each of thesidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d, and a second sidewall coupler 1112 isformed in a lower region of each of the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d.Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the first sidewall coupler 1111 protrudesfrom an upper side of each of the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d and isthen bent. The first sidewall coupler 1111 includes a first extensionportion 1111-1, protruding from the upper side of each of the sidewalls1110 a through 1110 d in a direction away from an outer surface of eachof the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d, and a second extension portion1111-2 extending downwardly from the first extension portion 1111-1. Thesecond extension portion 1111-2 is inserted into each coupling space ofthe upper mold frame 1200, thereby coupling the upper mold frame 1200 tothe sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d.

The second sidewall coupler 1112 protrudes from a lower side of each ofthe sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d and is then bent as shown in FIGS. 2and 3. In an exemplary embodiment, the second sidewall coupler 1112includes a third extension portion 1112-1, protruding from the lowerside of each of the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d in the directionaway from the outer surface of each of the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110d, and a fourth extension portion 1112-2 extending upwardly from thethird extension portion 1112-1. The fourth extension portion 1112-2 iscoupled to each coupling space of the bottom plate 1130, therebycoupling the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d to the bottom plate 1130.Referring to FIG. 3, reflective plates 1140 may be attached onto thesidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d. When the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110d are made of a material having good light reflexibility, the reflectiveplates 1140 may be omitted.

The bottom plate 1130 can be shaped like a square plate. The bottomplate 1130 has a bottom coupler 1131 formed in each edge region thereofand coupled to the second sidewall coupler 1112 of each of the sidewalls1110 a through 1110 d. In an exemplary embodiment, the bottom coupler1131 includes a first extension portion 1131-1 protruding from each edgeof the bottom plate 1130 and is then bent upward, a second extensionportion 1131-2 extending from the first extension portion in a directiontoward a center region of the bottom plate 1130, and a third extensionportion 1131-3 extending downwardly from the second extension portion1131-2. The first through third extension portions 1131-1 through 1131-3form a coupling space in each edge region of the bottom plate 1130.

In an exemplary embodiment, the bottom coupler 1131 of the bottom plate1130 is inserted into the second sidewall coupler 1112 of each of thesidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d, thereby coupling the bottom plate 1130to the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d. Referring to FIG. 3, the centerregion of the bottom plate 1130 is exposed to the inner space of thehousing member 1100. This is because the third extension portion 1112-1of the second sidewall coupler 1112 overlaps each edge region of thebottom plate 1130. In an exemplary embodiment, the size of an exposedarea of the bottom plate 1130 may vary according to the infrareddetection capability of the infrared detector 2000 coupled to the bottomplate 1130.

The upper mold frame 1200 is coupled and fixed to the upper aperture ofthe housing member 1100, thereby fixing the liquid crystal display panel100. The upper mold frame 1200 includes a body 1210 shaped like a squarering, a fixing protrusion 1220 protruding from each inner side surfaceof the body 1210 in a direction toward the center of the body 1210, anda mold coupler 1230 formed in each edge region of the body 1210.

In an exemplary embodiment, the fixing protrusion 1220 protrudes from alower region of each inner side surface of the body 1210 in thedirection toward the center of the body 1210 shaped like a square ring.Thus, the liquid crystal display panel 100 is placed on the fixingprotrusion 1220. That is, the fixing protrusion 1220 supports and fixespart of a bottom surface of the liquid crystal display panel 100. Sidesurfaces of the liquid crystal display panel 100 are adhered and fixedto the inner side surfaces of the body 1210. Therefore, the upper moldframe 1200 can prevent the movement of the liquid crystal display panel100.

In an exemplary embodiment, the mold coupler 1230 is coupled to thefirst sidewall coupler 1111 formed in the upper region of each of thesidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d of the housing member 1100. The moldcoupler 1230 includes a first extension portion 1231 extendingdownwardly from each edge region of the body 1210, a second extensionportion 1232 extending from the first extension portion 1231 in thedirection toward the center of the body 1210, and a third extensionportion 1233 extending upward from the second extension portion 1232.The first through third extension portions 1231 through 1233 form acoupling space in each edge region of the body 1210. The first sidewallcoupler 1111 of each of the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d is coupledto the coupling space, thereby coupling and fixing the upper mold frame1200 to the housing member 1100.

Each of the light source units 1300 includes a plurality of lamp units1310, disposed on the inner side surface of each of the sidewalls 1110 athrough 1110 d of the housing member 1100 and arranged adjacent to eachother, and one or more power supply units 1320 supplying power to thelamp units 1310.

Each of the lamp units 1310 includes a light-emitting lamp 1311 and lampholders 1312 supporting both ends of the light-emitting lamp 1311,respectively. Each of the lamp units 1310 includes a lamp support 1313fixing the light-emitting lamp 1311 to each of the sidewalls 1100 athrough 1100 d.

In an exemplary embodiment, the light-emitting lamp 1311 may be a coldcathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL). Alternatively, the light-emitting lamp1311 may be an external electrode fluorescent lamp (EEFL). The lampholders 1312 are fixed, for example tightly fixed, to the sidewalls 1110a through 1110 d. The lamp holders 1312 protect electrodes at both endsof each of the lamp units 1310 and electrically connect the electrodesto power lines penetrating the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d of thehousing member 1100. The lamp support 1313 is fixed to each of thesidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d of the housing member 1100. The lampsupport 1313 holds part of the body of the light-emitting lamp 1311,shaped like a rod, to prevent the body from moving or sinking down.

Each of the power supply units 1320 includes an inverter unit 1321 and apower line unit 1322 connecting the inverter unit 1321 to each of thelamp units 1310. The inverter unit 1321 refers to a PCB having aplurality of inverters. In an exemplary embodiment, the light-emittinglamps 1311 are disposed on the inner side surface of each of the foursidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d of the housing member 1100. The inverterunit 1321 is disposed on an outer side surface of each of the foursidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d. Thus, each of the sidewalls 1110 athrough 1110 d may emit light independently.

The light-emitting lamps 1311 fixed to each of the sidewalls 1110 athrough 1110 d may have the same tube current (within an acceptableerror range). That is, the light-emitting lamps 1311 disposed on each ofthe sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d of the housing member 1100 may havethe same length. This is because it is difficult to turn on all of thelight-emitting lamps 1311 by using one inverter if the light-emittinglamps 1311 have different tube currents. If the light-emitting lamps1311 have different tube currents, a plurality of inverters are requiredfor the different tube currents. Since a plurality of inverters arerequired, the structure of the power supply units 1320 becomescomplicated. The light-emitting lamps 1311 fixed to each of thesidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d may have a different tube current fromthose fixed to the other ones of the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d. Inan exemplary embodiment, the light-emitting lamps 1311 fixed to all ofthe sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d may have the same tube current. Inthis case, the number of inverters required can be reduced. That is, thelight-emitting lamps 1311, disposed on the inner side surfaces of thefour sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d, may be turned on by using oneinverter.

The diffusion members 1400 are disposed above the light source units1300. The diffusion members 1400 may be diffusion plates or diffusionsheets.

In an exemplary embodiment, the four diffusion members 1400 mayuniformly diffuse light emitted from the lamp units 1310, disposed oneach of the four sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d, to enhance luminanceuniformity and visibility of the liquid crystal display panel 100.Referring to FIG. 5, the five lamp units 1310 are disposed on each ofthe sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d and separated from each other. Ifthe diffusion members 1400 are not disposed above the lamp units 1310,regions where the lamp units 1310 are disposed may be brighter thanregions between the lamp units 1310. If the diffusion members 1400 aredisposed above the lamp units 1310, light emitted from the lamp units1310 is diffused by the diffusion members 1400, thereby preventing theoccurrence of the above brightness difference.

The diffusion members 1400 are disposed parallel to the inner sidesurfaces of the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d of the housing member1100. The four diffusion members 1400 form an upside-down truncatedquadrangular pyramid, inside the housing member 1100. A lower apertureof the truncated quadrangular pyramid, formed by the diffusion members1400, exposes the center region of the bottom plate 1130 of the housingmember 1100. The liquid crystal display panel 100 may be disposed in anupper aperture region of the quadrangular pyramid formed by thediffusion members 1400. An upper end of each of the diffusion members1400 is fixed to a first fixing groove 1240 formed in each edge regionof the upper mold frame 1200, and a lower end of each of the diffusionmembers 1400 is fixed to a second fixing groove 2210 formed in each edgeregion of a mounting substrate 2200 of the infrared detector 2000 in thecenter region of the bottom plate 1130.

The light-emitting lamps 1311 are disposed between each of the diffusionmembers 1400 and one of the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d. Referringto FIG. 5, the five light-emitting lamps 1311 are disposed on each ofthe sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d. Referring to FIGS. 2 through 4,each of the diffusion members 1400 is disposed on the fivelight-emitting lamps 1311. The five light-emitting lamps 1311 areseparated from each other, and virtual lines extending from both ends ofeach of the light-emitting lamps 1311 cross the upper and lower sides ofeach of the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d. The light-emitting lamps1311 may be arranged at regular intervals.

The distance between upper parts of the light-emitting lamps 1311disposed in an upper side region of each of the sidewalls 1110 a through1110 d is greater than the distance between lower parts of thelight-emitting lamps 1311 disposed in a lower side region of each of thesidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d. Accordingly, uniform luminance can bemaintained within the housing member 1100.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d of thehousing member 1100 tilt at a predetermined angle with respect to thebottom surface of the liquid crystal display panel 100 disposed on thehousing member 1100. While the upper side regions of the sidewalls 1110a through 1110 d are disposed adjacent to the liquid crystal displaypanel 100, the lower side regions thereof are separated from the liquidcrystal display panel 100. Accordingly, the distance between the upperparts of the light-emitting lamps 1311 in the upper side region of eachof the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d may be increased to reduce theintensity of luminance provided to the liquid crystal display panel 100,and the distance between the lower parts of the light-emitting lamps1311 in the lower side region of each of the sidewalls 1110 a through1110 d may be reduced to increase the intensity of luminance provided tothe liquid crystal display panel 100. As such, the intensity ofluminance provided to the liquid crystal display panel 100 may beuniform.

No additional light-emitting lamps are formed on the bottom plate 1130of the housing member 1100. Therefore, the bottom plate 1130 is darksince the center region of the bottom plate 1130 is exposed by thediffusion members 1400. The dark portion can be removed by increasingthe intensity of luminance of the lower side region of each of thesidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d. That is, the density of thelight-emitting lamps 1311 (that is, light sources) per unit area isincreased as the distance from the lower side region of each of thesidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d is reduced.

In an exemplary embodiment, various optical members other than thediffusion members 1400 may be installed. For example,luminance-enhancing sheets or polarizing sheets may be disposed on orunder the respective diffusion members 1400.

In an exemplary embodiment, the infrared detector 2000 is disposed inthe center region of the bottom plate 1130 of the housing member 1100.

The infrared detector 2000 includes a plurality of infrared lightsources 2100, the mounting substrate 2200 on which the infrared lightsources 2100 are mounted, and an infrared camera 2300 disposed in acenter region of the mounting substrate 2200. The infrared camera 2300is mounted on the mounting substrate 2200, and the mounted infraredcamera 2300 is electrically connected to the computing unit 3000 by themounting substrate 2200.

Referring to FIG. 3, the infrared camera 2300 may be disposed in thecenter region of the mounting substrate 2200 disposed in the center ofthe bottom plate 1130. The infrared camera 2300 includes an image sensormounted on the mounting substrate 2200 and an optical lens disposed onthe image sensor. The image sensor may be a charge-coupled device (CCD),a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), or a contact imagesensor (CIS).

Since the infrared camera 2300 is disposed in the center region of thehousing member 1100, the infrared camera 2300 may photograph the frontregion of the liquid crystal display panel 100 (that is, the top surfaceof the upper substrate 110 or a region in front of the upper substrate110). Referring to FIG. 2, the infrared light sources 2100 may bedisposed around the infrared camera 2300. Thus, infrared light from theinfrared light sources 2100 can be uniformly projected to the frontregion of the liquid crystal display panel 100. In an exemplaryembodiment, the eight infrared light sources 2100 are mounted on themounting substrate 2200. The number of infrared light sources mounted onthe mounting substrate 2200 is not limited to the above example and mayvary. The infrared light sources 2100 may be infrared light-emittingdiodes.

The second fixing groove 2210 may be formed in each edge region of themounting substrate 2200 outside the infrared light sources 2100, andeach of the diffusion members 1400 may be inserted into the secondfixing groove 2210. In an exemplary embodiment, the infrared lightsources 2100 and the infrared camera 2300 are exposed by a loweraperture region of the quadrangular pyramid formed by the diffusionmembers 1400. Therefore, infrared light emitted from the infrared lightsources 2100 may proceed out of the liquid crystal display panel 100(out of the housing member 1100) without being affected by the diffusionmembers 1400. Infrared light, reflected by an object outside the liquidcrystal display panel 100, may proceed into the liquid crystal displaypanel 100 (into the housing member 1100) and may be input to theinfrared camera 2300 without being affected by the diffusion members1400. As such, the object detection capability of the infrared camera2300 can be enhanced.

In an exemplary embodiment, the light source units 1300 and thediffusion members 1400 are disposed adjacent to the sidewalls 1110 athrough 1110 d of the housing member 1100, to enhance luminanceuniformity and visibility of the liquid crystal display panel 100. Thediffusion members 1400 are fixed to the mounting substrate 2200 of theinfrared detector 2000, attached onto the bottom plate 1130, to preventa region of the mounting substrate 2200 from being covered by thediffusion members 1400. In the region of the mounting substrate 2200 notcovered by the diffusion members 1400, the infrared light sources 2100and the infrared camera 2300 are positioned to enhance the objectdetection capability of the infrared detector 2000. However, the presentinvention is not limited thereto, and the diffusion members 1400 may befixed by a predetermined support protrusion.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the display systemaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 isan enlarged view of a region K of FIG. 6 according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 8 and 9 are enlarged views ofthe region K of FIG. 6 according to exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the display system according to an exemplaryembodiment includes a liquid crystal display panel 100, an imagecontroller 200, an infrared detector 2000, and a backlight assembly1000. The backlight assembly 1000 houses or fixes the infrared detector2000, the liquid crystal display panel 100 and the image controller 200.

The backlight assembly 1000 includes a housing member 1100, an uppermold frame 1200, a lower mold frame 1500, a plurality of diffusionmembers 1400, and a plurality of light source units 1300. The housingmember 1100 has a plurality of sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d(collectively indicated by reference numeral 1110) assembled into anupside-down truncated quadrangular pyramid. The upper mold frame 1200 isdisposed on the housing member 1100 and fixes the liquid crystal displaypanel 100. The lower mold frame 1500 is disposed under the housingmember 1100 and fixes the infrared detector 2000. The diffusion members1400 are disposed adjacent the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d,respectively. The light source units 1300 are interposed between thediffusion members 1400 and the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d,respectively.

Referring to FIG. 6, the upper mold frame 1200 includes a firstdiffusion member-fixing protrusion 1250, which protrudes downward from abottom surface of a body 1210, and a first sidewall-fixing protrusion1260. The first sidewall-fixing protrusion 1260 protrudes from each edgeregion of the body 1210 and supports and fixes an upper region of eachof the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d of the housing member 1100. In anexemplary embodiment, the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d may not beperpendicular or parallel to the bottom surface of the body 1210. Forexample, the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d may tilt at a predeterminedangle with respect to the bottom surface of the body 1210. Accordingly,a surface of the first sidewall-fixing protrusion 1260 contacting eachof the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d may tilt at a predetermined anglewith respect to the bottom surface of the body 1210. In an exemplaryembodiment, the first sidewall-fixing protrusion 1260 is attached andthus fixed to an outer side surface of the upper region of each of thesidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d by an adhesive.

The first diffusion member-fixing protrusion 1250 protrudes from acenter region of the bottom surface of the body 1210. The firstdiffusion member-fixing protrusion 1250 supports and fixes an upperregion of each of the diffusion members 1400. In an exemplaryembodiment, the diffusion members 1400 are separated from the sidewalls1110 a through 1110 d and disposed substantially parallel to thesidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d, respectively. Thus, the first diffusionmember-fixing protrusion 1250 may be disposed closer to the center ofthe body 1210 than the first sidewall-fixing protrusion 1260. That is,the distance between the first diffusion member-fixing protrusion 1250and the sidewall-fixing protrusion 1260 may be similar to the distancebetween each of the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d and each of thediffusion members 1400.

In an exemplary embodiment, the diffusion members 1400 tilt with respectto the bottom surface of the body 1210. Accordingly, the first diffusionmember-fixing protrusion 1250 may also tilt with respect to the bottomsurface of the body 1210. The first diffusion member-fixing protrusion1250 and the body 1210 may be manufactured as a single body or may bemanufactured separately and then coupled to each other. The firstsidewall-fixing protrusion 1260 and the body 1210 may also bemanufactured as a single body or may be manufactured separately and thencoupled to each other.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lower mold frame 1500 is attached tolower regions of the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d of the housingmember 1100 to support and fix the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d, thediffusion members 1400, and the infrared detector 2000. Referring toFIGS. 6 and 7, the lower mold frame 1500 includes a body 1510 having aconcave groove 1540, a second diffusion member-fixing protrusion 1520formed around the concave groove 1540, and a second sidewall-fixingprotrusion 1530 disposed outside the second diffusion member-fixingprotrusion 1520. In an exemplary embodiment, the infrared detector 2000is mounted on a center of the concave groove 1540.

In an exemplary embodiment, a mounting substrate 2200 of the infrareddetector 2000 is inserted into the concave groove 1540. In an exemplaryembodiment, infrared light sources 2100 and an infrared camera 2300 ofthe infrared detector 2000 may be inserted into the concave groove 1540.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second diffusion member-fixingprotrusion 1520 is formed around (for example, outside) the concavegroove 1540 to prevent the concave groove 1540 from being covered by thediffusion members 1400. Thus, infrared light emitted from the infraredlight sources 2100 is not diffused by the diffusion members 1400, orinfrared light reflected by an object located outside the liquid crystaldisplay panel 100 is not diffused by the diffusion members 1400.Consequently, the detection capability of the infrared camera 2300 canbe enhanced.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d and thediffusion members 1400 tilt with respect to a top surface of the body1510. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the second diffusion member-fixingprotrusion 1520 and the second sidewall-fixing protrusion 1530 may tiltwith respect to the top surface of the body 1510.

In an exemplary embodiment, a surface of the second diffusionmember-fixing protrusion 1530 is adhered to a surface of each of thediffusion members 1400 by an adhesive 1501-1, and a surface of thesecond sidewall-fixing protrusion 1530 is adhered to each of thesidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d by the adhesive 1501-1. Varioustechnologies and members may be used to fix each of the diffusionmembers 1400 or each of the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d to thesecond diffusion member-fixing protrusion 1520 or the secondsidewall-fixing protrusion 1530.

Referring to FIG. 8, fixing grooves 1521 and 1531 may be formed in thesecond diffusion member-fixing protrusion 1520 and the secondsidewall-fixing protrusion 1530, respectively. Thus, the diffusionmembers 1400 and the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d may be insertedinto the fixing grooves 1521 and 1531, respectively, thereby fixinglower regions of the diffusion members 1400 and the sidewalls 1110 athrough 1110 d.

Referring to FIG. 9, a second diffusion member-fixing protrusion 1520may be coupled to each of diffusion members 1400 by a fixing member 1522such as, for example, a screw, and a second sidewall-fixing protrusion1530 may be coupled to each of the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d by afixing member 1532 such as, for example, a screw. In an exemplaryembodiment, the second diffusion member-fixing protrusion 1520 and thesecond sidewall-fixing protrusion 1530 are formed in the lower moldframe 1500. Exemplary methods disclosed with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9may also be applied to the first diffusion member-fixing protrusion 1250and the first sidewall-fixing protrusion 1260 formed on the upper moldframe 1200. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper and lower mold frames1200 and 1500 may be omitted.

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a display system accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a planview of one of sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d of a housing member 1100and a plurality of light source units 1300 according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a verticalcross-sectional view of a display system according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the display system includes a backlightassembly 1000, a liquid crystal display panel 100, disposed on thebacklight assembly 1000, a cover unit 300 covering an upper region ofthe liquid crystal display panel 100, and an infrared detector 2000installed in the backlight assembly 1000.

The backlight assembly 1000 includes the housing member 1100, aplurality of diffusion members 1400, and the light source units 1300.The housing member 1100 has the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d(collectively indicated by reference numeral 1110) assembled into anupside-down truncated quadrangular pyramid. The diffusion members 1400are disposed adjacent the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d, respectively.The light source units 1300 are interposed between the diffusion members1400 and the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d, respectively.

In an exemplary embodiment, each of the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 dof the housing member 1100 includes a panel support 1113 in an upperregion thereof. The panel support 1113 supports each edge region of abottom surface of the liquid crystal display panel 100. The panelsupport 1113 may be formed by bending a portion of the upper region ofeach of the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d. Referring to FIG. 10, thepanel support 1113 includes a first horizontal extension portion 1113-1protruding from an upper end of each of the sidewalls 1110 a through1110 d in a direction toward the center of the housing member 1100, afirst vertical extension portion 1113-2 extending upward from the firsthorizontal extension portion 1113-1, a second horizontal extensionportion 1113-3 extending from the first vertical extension portion1113-2 in a direction away from the center of the housing member 1100, asecond vertical extension portion 1113-4 extending upward from thesecond horizontal extension portion 1113-3, a third horizontal extensionportion 1113-5 extending from the second vertical extension portion1113-4 in the direction away from the center of the housing member 1100,and a third vertical extension portion 1113-6 extending downward fromthe third horizontal extension portion 1113-5.

In an exemplary embodiment, the bottom surface of the liquid crystaldisplay panel 100 is attached, for example, tightly to the secondhorizontal extension portion 1113-3, and a side surface of the liquidcrystal display panel 100 is attached, for example, tightly to thesecond vertical extension portion 1113-4. Since the panel support 1113supports and fixes the liquid crystal display panel 100 by using ahorizontal extension portion and a vertical extension portion, noadditional mold frame is required to support the liquid crystal displaypanel 100.

In an exemplary embodiment, an upper region of each of the diffusionmembers 1400 may be fixed to the panel support 1113. Referring to FIG.10, the first vertical extension portion 1113-2 is attached to the upperregion of each of the diffusion members 1400, thereby fixing the upperregion of each of the diffusion members 1400.

In an exemplary embodiment, light-emitting diodes may be used as lampunits 1310 of each of the light source units 1300 interposed between thediffusion members 1400 and the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d,respectively. Referring to FIG. 11, a plurality of light-emitting diodesmay be mounted on each of the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d. In anexemplary embodiment, a plurality of light-emitting diodes having thesame intensity of luminance are mounted on each of the sidewalls 1110 athrough 1110 d. Equal power may be supplied to the light-emitting diodesvia an inverter. The number of light-emitting diodes mounted on a lowerregion of each of the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d per unit area maybe greater than that of light-emitting diodes mounted on the upperregion of each of the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d per unit area.That is, the number of light-emitting diodes mounted per unit area maybe increased from the upper region to the lower region of each of thesidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d. Therefore, light can be uniformlysupplied to the liquid crystal display panel 100, and the creation of adark portion in a bottom region (i.e., a region where the infrareddetector 2000 is located) of the housing member 1100 can be prevented.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lower regions of the sidewalls 1110 athrough 1110 d of the housing member 1100 and those of the diffusionmembers 1400 may be fixed by a mounting substrate 2200 of the infrareddetector 2000. That is, a sidewall-fixing groove 2230 is formed in eachedge region of the mounting substrate 2200, and the lower region of eachof the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 is inserted into thesidewall-fixing groove 2230. A diffusion member-fixing groove 2220 isformed closer to the center of the mounting substrate 2200 than thesidewall-fixing groove 2230, and the lower region of each of thediffusion members 1400 is inserted into the diffusion member-fixinggroove 2220.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sidewall-fixing groove 2230 may beseparated from the diffusion member-fixing groove 2220 by apredetermined gap. The predetermined gap may be similar to an averagegap between each of the diffusion members 1400 and each of the sidewalls1110 a through 1110 d. Infrared light sources 2100 and an infraredcamera 2300 may be disposed on the mounting substrate 2200 installedcloser to the center of the mounting substrate 2200 than the diffusionmember-fixing groove 2220.

In an exemplary embodiment, the cover unit 300 is installed. Referringto FIG. 10, the cover unit 300 covers an upper edge region of the liquidcrystal display panel 100, and the lower edge region of the liquidcrystal display panel 100 is supported by the panel support 1113 of thehousing member 1100. The cover unit 300 is shaped like a square ring andincludes a horizontal body 310 adhered, for example, tightly to theupper region of the liquid crystal display panel 100 and a vertical body320 fixed, for example, tightly to the housing member 1100. The verticalbody 320 of the cover unit 300 is fixed, for example, tightly to thethird vertical extension portion 1113-6 of the panel support 1113. Thehorizontal body 310 is adhered, for example, tightly to the upper edgeregion of the liquid crystal display panel 100 to prevent thedisengagement of the liquid crystal display panel 100.

Referring to FIG. 12, infrared light sources 2100 of an infrareddetector 2000 may be disposed adjacent side surfaces of a liquid crystaldisplay panel 100, that is, between a cover unit 300 and a housingmember 1100. In an exemplary embodiment, a bottom surface of ahorizontal body 310 of the cover unit 300 is separated from a panelsupport 1113 of the housing member 1100 by a predetermined space, andeach of the infrared light sources 2100 is installed in thepredetermined space. Thus, the size of the infrared detector 2000located in a lower region of the housing member 1100 can be reduced.That is, in the lower region of the housing member 1100, only aninfrared camera 2300 is disposed. Thus, the size of the lower region ofthe housing member 1100 (that is, the size of a region exposed by thediffusion members 1140) may be equal to that of the infrared camera2300.

In an exemplary embodiment, since the infrared light sources 2100 emitinfrared light in a direction from side surfaces of a liquid crystaldisplay panel 100 toward a front region of the liquid crystal displaypanel 100, the amount of infrared light irradiated to an object locatedin the front region (that is, a top surface of the liquid crystaldisplay panel 100 or a region in front of the liquid crystal displaypanel 100) of the liquid crystal display panel 100 can be increased. Inan exemplary embodiment, the infrared light sources 2100 may beinstalled on a top surface of the horizontal body 310 of the cover unit300.

In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of infrared cameras may beinstalled. The infrared cameras may be mounted on a single mountingsubstrate to sense all regions of a liquid crystal display panel.Alternatively, a plurality of infrared cameras may be mounted on aplurality of mounting substrates, respectively. In this case, while eachof the infrared cameras senses a predetermined region, the infraredcameras as a whole sense all regions of the liquid crystal displaypanel.

FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a display system accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is ahorizontal cross-sectional view of a display system according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a horizontalcross-sectional view of a display system according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a plan view of one ofsidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d of a housing member 1100 and a pluralityof light source units 1300 according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIGS. 13 through 16, the display system includes a liquidcrystal display panel 100, an image controller 200, a backlight assembly1000, and first and second infrared detectors 2000 a and 2000 b.

The two infrared detectors 2000 a and 2000 b are disposed in a lowerregion of the housing member 1100 of the backlight assembly 1000.Elements of each of the first and second infrared detectors 2000 a and2000 b are identical to those of the infrared detector 2000 describedabove. In an exemplary embodiment, an infrared camera 2300 of the firstinfrared detector 2000 a detects infrared light, reflected by an object,in a region of the liquid crystal display panel 100, and an infraredcamera 2300 of the second infrared detector 2000 b detects infraredlight in the other regions.

Referring to FIG. 13, detection regions of the two infrared cameras 2300may overlap in a center region of the liquid crystal display panel 100.That is, in previous embodiments, a single infrared camera photographsthe entire region of a liquid crystal display panel. In an exemplaryembodiment, the entire region of the liquid crystal display panel 100 isphotographed by the two infrared cameras 2300. When one infrared camerais used, it is difficult to reduce the height of a housing member due toan angle of view of the infrared camera which remains unchanged.However, when the two infrared cameras 2300 are used as in the presentembodiment, since each of the infrared cameras 2300 photographs apredetermined region of the liquid crystal display panel 100, the heightof the housing member 1100 (that is, the distance between the liquidcrystal display panel 100 and a bottom surface of the housing member1100) can be reduced.

The first and second infrared detectors 2000 a and 2000 b may haverespective mounting substrates 2200. The first and second infrareddetectors 2000 a and 2000 b may also share a single mounting substrate.When the first and second detectors 2000 a and 2000 b share a singlemounting substrate, the two infrared cameras 2300 are separated fromeach other by a predetermined gap. The predetermined gap between the twoinfrared cameras 2300 may appear to be a dark portion when viewed fromoutside the liquid crystal display panel 100.

The housing member 1100, which has the first and second infrareddetectors 2000 a and 2000 b mounted on a bottom surface thereof,includes a partition wall 1150 between the first and second infrareddetectors 2000 a and 2000 b (that is, between the two infrared cameras2300), an inner diffusion member 1400-1 separated from the partitionwall 1150, and an inner light source unit 1300-1 interposed between thepartition wall 1150 and the inner diffusion member 1400-1. If the innerlight source unit 1300-1 is installed between the two infrared cameras2300, the above dark portion can be prevented. Referring to FIG. 13, across section of each of the partition wall 1150 and the inner diffusionmember 1400-1 may be shaped like an upside-down ‘V’.

The housing member 1100 includes first and second bottom plates 1130 aand 1130 b connecting the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d to thepartition wall 1150. Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the first and secondinfrared detectors 2000 a and 200 b are disposed on the first and secondbottom plates 1130 a and 1130 b, respectively. Three surfaces of each ofthe first and second bottom plates 1130 a and 1130 b are coupled andthus fixed to the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d, and the remaining onesurface of each of the first and second bottom plates 1130 a and 1130 bis coupled and fixed to the partition wall 1150. Partition wall couplers1150 are formed at both ends of the partition wall 1150. Each of thepartition wall couplers 1150 is coupled and fixed to a bottom coupler1131 of each of the first and second bottom plates 1130 a and 1130 b.Thus, a cross section of the housing member 1100 according to anexemplary embodiment is shaped like ‘W’.

In an exemplary embodiment, the two infrared detectors 2000 a and 2000 bare installed. Referring to FIG. 15, four infrared detectors 2000 athrough 2000 d may be installed in a lower region of a housing member1100, that is, on a bottom surface of the housing member 1100.Accordingly, the region of a liquid crystal display panel 100 ispartitioned into four regions, and infrared light received through thefour regions is detected by the four infrared detectors 2000 a through2000 d, respectively. Consequently, the infrared detection capability ofa display system can be enhanced.

A field of view secured by each of infrared cameras 2300 is reduced.Thus, a gap between each of the infrared cameras 2300 and the liquidcrystal display panel 100 can be reduced, which, in turn, reduces thesize (for example, height) of the housing member 1100. Partition walls,inner diffusion members 1400-1, and inner light source units 1300-1,interposed between the partition walls and the inner diffusion members1400-1, respectively, are installed between the four infrared detectors2000 a through 2000 d. In an exemplary embodiment, the number ofinfrared detectors may be more or less than four.

Each of the light source units 1300 and the inner light source units1300-1 includes a plurality of lamp units 1310 and one or more powersupply units 1320. Referring to FIG. 16, the lamp units 1310 aredisposed on each of the sidewalls 1110 a through 1110 d and receive thesame voltage from one power supply unit 1320 to emit light. Each of thelamp units 1310 includes, for example, a bar-type substrate 1313 and aplurality of light-emitting diodes 1314 mounted on the substrate 1313.

For example, a plurality of infrared cameras may be disposed betweendiffusion members and a liquid crystal display panel, thereby producinga slimmer display system. In an exemplary embodiment, since the liquidcrystal display panel has transmissive characteristics, the infraredcameras may not be disposed directly under the liquid crystal displaypanel. The infrared cameras may be installed diagonally under the liquidcrystal display panel to photograph an upper region (for example, a topsurface) of the liquid crystal display panel.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a display system according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a verticalcross-sectional view of a display system according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a diagram of a method ofdisposing a plurality of infrared cameras 2300 according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a diagram for explainingimage distortion of a tilting infrared camera according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 21 is a plan view of a displaysystem according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIGS. 22 and 23 are plan views of display systems according to exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 17 through 21, the display system includes a liquidcrystal display panel 100, a backlight assembly 1000 providing light tothe liquid crystal display panel 100 and having a diffusion member 1400,and an infrared detector 2000 having the infrared cameras 2300interposed between the liquid crystal display panel 100 and thediffusion member 1400.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, the backlight assembly 1000 includes ahousing member 1100 having space therein, light source units 1300disposed in the space, the diffusion member 1140 disposed on the lightsource units 1300, and a mold frame 1200-1 disposed on the housingmember 1100. The mold frame 1200-1 supports and fixes the liquid crystaldisplay panel 100.

Since the infrared cameras 2300 are installed between the diffusionmember 1400 and the liquid crystal display panel 100, the height of thehousing member 1100 (that is, the height of sidewalls of the housingmember 1100) can be lowered. That is, since the infrared cameras 2300are disposed on the diffusion member 1400, the diffusion member 1400 maybe placed parallel to a bottom surface of the liquid crystal displaypanel 100. Thus, the housing member 1100 according to an exemplaryembodiment is shaped like a square box having an open top end. That is,the housing member 1100 has a bottom surface, which is shaped like asquare plate, and sidewalls which are formed along edge regions of thebottom surface.

Referring to FIG. 18, a stepped portion may be formed at each sidesurface of the housing member 1100, and the diffusion member 1400, whichis shaped like a plate or a sheet, may be fixed to the stepped portion.The mold frame 1200-1 according to an exemplary embodiment includes abody 1210, having a fixing protrusion 1220, and mold sidewalls 1270extending from the body 1210. The body 1210 is shaped like, for example,a square band having two long sides and two short sides. The fixingprotrusion 1220 protrudes from the body 1210 in a direction toward thecenter of the square band. The fixing protrusion is disposed under theliquid crystal display panel 100, and each edge region of the liquidcrystal display panel 100 is supported by the fixing protrusion 1220.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 21, short side regions of the body 1210 may bewider than long side regions thereof. This is because the infraredcameras 2300 are disposed under the short side regions of the body 1210,respectively, as shown in FIG. 21. The mold sidewalls 1270 extenddownward from edges of the bottom surface of the body 1210. The moldsidewalls 1270 are coupled and fixed to the housing member 1100thereunder. In an exemplary embodiment, a mold-fixing protrusion 1271 isformed on each of the mold sidewalls 1270. A mounting substrate 2200, onwhich each of the infrared cameras 2300 is mounted, is fixed to themold-fixing protrusion 1271.

Infrared light sources 2100 of the infrared detector 2000 may bedisposed inside the housing member 1100 (i.e., under the diffusionmember 1400). Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, the infrared light sources2100 may be mounted on the bottom surface of the housing member 1100.Thus, infrared light emitted from the infrared light sources 2100 may bediffused by the diffusion member 1400 and thus uniformly provided to theentire region of the liquid crystal display panel 100 In an exemplaryembodiment, the infrared light sources 2100 may be disposed on each ofthe mold sidewalls 1270 or the mold-fixing protrusion 1271.

The infrared cameras 2300 may be disposed diagonally under the liquidcrystal display panel 100 due to light-transmitting characteristics ofthe liquid crystal display panel 100. That is, if the infrared cameras2300 are disposed directly under the liquid crystal display panel 100,the infrared cameras may be reflected in a front region of the liquidcrystal display panel 100. Therefore, the infrared cameras 2300 may beviewed as dark portions. In an exemplary embodiment, the infraredcameras 2300 are installed inside the mold frame 2300-1 (that is,between the body 1210 and the mold sidewalls 1270) interposed betweenthe liquid crystal display panel 100 and the diffusion member 1400.Referring to FIGS. 17, 18 and 21, two infrared cameras 2300 areinstalled in the two short side regions of the mold frame 1200-1. Thus,the front region of the liquid crystal display panel 100 is photographedby the two infrared cameras 2300. In an exemplary embodiment, each ofthe infrared cameras 2300 may photograph approximately half of the frontregion of the liquid crystal display panel 100.

Since the infrared cameras 2300 are disposed diagonally under the liquidcrystal display panel 100, the distance between the liquid crystaldisplay panel 100 and the diffusion member 1400 (that is, the housingmember 1100) and angles and positions of the infrared cameras 2300 maybe adjusted within a predetermined range.

Referring to FIG. 19, an angle θe formed by a virtual line, connectingthe liquid crystal display panel 100 and an upper end of the housingmember 1100, and the bottom surface of the liquid crystal display panel100 may be within the range of about 30° to about 55°. For example, theangle θe may be within the range of about 30° to about 50° because thehousing member 1100 is larger than the liquid crystal display panel 100.Therefore, the space between the liquid crystal display panel 100 andthe housing member 1100 can be shaped like a trapezoid. The angle θecontrols a distance De (that is, a width of a gap) between the housingmember 1100 and the liquid crystal display panel 100 and a length Le ofa portion of the housing member 1100 protruding from a side surface ofthe liquid crystal display panel 100. That is, the length Le is similarto the width of the body 1210 of the mold frame 1200-1, and the distanceDe is similar to a length of each of the mold sidewalls 1270.

Therefore, if the length Le is increased, the width of the body 1210 ofthe mold frame 1200-1, disposed on each side of the liquid crystaldisplay panel 100, increases. As a result, the surface size of theentire display system is increased. If the distance De is increased, thelength of the mold sidewalls 1270 of the mold frame 1200-1 under theliquid crystal display panel 100 increases, thereby increasing thethickness of the backlight assembly 1000. Consequently, the thickness ofthe entire display system is increased. In an exemplary embodiment, theangle θe formed by the housing member 1100 and the liquid crystaldisplay panel 100 may be controlled within the above range. For example,the angle θe may be about 45°, and the length Le may be equal to thedistance De. In an exemplary embodiment, a ratio of the length Le to thedistance De may vary according to the angle θe and a region to which thedisplay system is applied.

Referring to FIG. 21, the infrared cameras 2300 are installed near theshort sides of the liquid crystal display panel 100. Therefore, thelength Le and the distance De may be sufficient to allow each of theinfrared cameras 2300 to photograph an area corresponding to half of thelength of a long side of the liquid crystal display panel 100.

Each of the infrared cameras 2300 can be disposed on the mold-fixingprotrusion 1271 of each of the mold sidewalls 1270. Since the infraredcameras 2300 are disposed diagonally under the liquid crystal displaypanel 100, a center view-angle line CAL of each of the infrared cameras2300 may not be perpendicular to the bottom surface of the liquidcrystal display panel 100. For example, a center view-angle line CAL ofeach of the infrared cameras 2300 may be at a predetermined angle θawith respect to the bottom surface of the liquid crystal display panel100. Accordingly, a photographing range of each of the infrared cameras2300 can be widened. The number of infrared cameras required tophotograph the front region of the liquid crystal display panel 100 canbe reduced. If the center view-angle line CAL of each of the infraredcameras 2300 is perpendicular to the bottom surface of the liquidcrystal display panel 100, the infrared cameras 2300 may be able tophotograph only the bottom surface of the body 1210 of the mold frame1200-1, but may not be able to photograph the liquid crystal displaypanel 100.

Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, the angle θa formed by the centerview-angle line CAL of each of the infrared cameras 2300 and the bottomsurface of the liquid crystal display panel 100 may be controlled withinthe range of about 40° to about 70°. For example, the angle θa may bewithin the range of about 50° to about 60°. The center view-angle lineCAL refers to a line passing through the center of an angle of viewwhich is a photographing angle of each of the infrared cameras 2300.That is, each of the infrared cameras 2300 has a vertical angle of view2*V θ L and a horizontal angle of view 2*H θ L. Therefore, the centerview-angle line CAL refers to a line passing through the center of eachof the horizontal and vertical angles of view 2*H θ L and 2*V θ L.

Referring to FIGS. 19 and 21, the center view-angle line CAL bisectseach of the vertical and horizontal angles of view 2*V θ L and 2*H θ L.Each of the vertical and horizontal angles of view 2*V θ L and 2*H θ Lof each of the infrared cameras 2300 may be about 60° to about 160°, forexample, about 60° to about 110°. The vertical and horizontal angles ofview 2*V θ L and 2*H θ L of each of the infrared cameras 2300 may varyaccording to the size of the liquid crystal display panel 100photographed. That is, the vertical angle of view 2*V θ L may be greaterthan the horizontal angle of view 2*H θ L and vice versa.

If the angle θa formed by the center view-angle line CAL of each of theinfrared cameras 2300 and the bottom surface of the liquid crystaldisplay panel 100 is smaller than the above range, an area of the liquidcrystal display panel 100 which can be photographed by each of theinfrared cameras 2300 is increased. However, an image captured by eachof the infrared cameras 2300 is distorted.

For example, referring to FIG. 19, an angle θa-1 formed by a centerview-angle line CAL-1 of an infrared camera and the bottom surface ofthe liquid crystal display panel 100 is 90°, an image captured by theinfrared camera may roughly be square as shown in (a) of FIG. 20. Thatis, four sides of image have the same length.

Referring to FIG. 20, if the angle θa-1 formed by the center view-angleline CAL-1 of the infrared camera and the bottom surface of the liquidcrystal display panel 100 is not 90°, an image captured by the infraredcamera is trapezoidal. That is, the captured image shown in (b) of FIG.20 has a short side rh and a long side lh. To accurately interpret thecaptured image, a value obtained by dividing a value of a length of theshort side rh by a value of a length rv between the short side rh andthe long side lh should be within the range of about 0.2 to about 1. Forexample, the length of the short side rh should be more than 50% of thelength of the long side lh.

The angle θa formed by the center view-angle line CAL and the bottomsurface of the liquid crystal display panel 100 may be within the rangeof about 40° to about 70°. That is, if the angle θa is less than 40°,the length of the short side rh may become less than 50% of the lengthof the long side lh, and the length rv between the short side rh and thelong side lh may be increased. As a result, an image captured by theinfrared camera is distorted. If the angle θa is greater than about 70°,an area of the liquid crystal display panel 100 which can bephotographed by the infrared camera is reduced. Therefore, not all of anintended photographing range (i.e., about half of the region of theliquid crystal display panel 100) can be photographed by the infraredcamera.

Referring to FIG. 19, a part of the vertical angle of view 2*V θ L ofeach of the infrared cameras 2300 may extend to the mold frame 1200-1.Thus, only a part of a region photographed by each of the infraredcameras 2300 is an active region that can be used (that is, aphotographed region of the liquid crystal display panel 100). In anexemplary embodiment, the active region may be wider than an inactiveregion (that is, a photographed region of the mold frame 1200-1).

Each of the infrared cameras 2300 may tilt such that its centerview-angle line CAL is at the above angle with respect to the bottomsurface of the liquid crystal display panel 100. The mounting substrate2200, on which each of the infrared cameras 2300 is mounted, may tiltwith respect to the liquid crystal display panel 100 (or the diffusionmember 1400). Accordingly, a portion of a top surface of the mold-fixingprotrusion 1271 of each of the sidewalls 1271 tilts, and the mountingsubstrate 2200 is placed on the tilting portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the infrared cameras 2300 are disposeddiagonally under two short sides of the liquid crystal display panel100, respectively, to photograph (i.e., sense) the front region of theliquid crystal display panel 100. In an exemplary embodiment, each ofthe infrared cameras 2300 may be placed at an optimal position, and anangle formed by each of the infrared cameras 2300 and the liquid crystaldisplay panel 100 may be controlled within an optimal range to preventimage distortion and enhance the detection capability of the infraredcameras 2300. An increase in the surface size and thickness of thedisplay system can be restrained, and the luminance uniformity andvisibility of the liquid crystal display panel 100 can be improved.

For example, referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, a plurality of infraredcameras 2300 may be placed diagonally under two long sides of a liquidcrystal display panel 100 to photograph a front region of the liquidcrystal display panel 100. That is, referring to FIG. 22, two infraredcameras 2300 are placed diagonally under each of the long sides of theliquid crystal display panel 100. Thus, a total of four infrared cameras2300 are used to photograph the front region of the liquid crystaldisplay panel 100. Referring to FIG. 23, three infrared cameras 2300 areplaced diagonally under each of the long sides of the liquid crystaldisplay panel 100 to photograph the front region of the liquid crystaldisplay panel 100.

Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, when the infrared cameras 2300 areinstalled adjacent a long side of the liquid crystal display panel 100,the infrared cameras 2300 may be separated from the long side of theliquid crystal display panel 100 such that the infrared cameras 2300 canphotograph an area of the liquid crystal display panel 100 correspondingto at least half VL of a length 2VL of a short side of the liquidcrystal display panel 100. A distance De between a housing member 1100and the liquid crystal display panel 100 and a length Le of a portion ofthe housing member 1100, protruding from a side surface of the liquidcrystal display panel 100, may be controlled within a predeterminedrange. In an exemplary embodiment, the predetermined range may varyaccording to an angle θe formed by the housing member 2200 and theliquid crystal display panel 100.

In exemplary embodiments, four or six infrared cameras 2300 are used tophotograph the front region of the liquid crystal display panel 100. Inan exemplary embodiment, four infrared cameras 2300 are used tophotograph the front region (i.e., a top surface region) of the 32-inchliquid crystal display panel 100. In the exemplary embodiment, a lengthHL of a region of a long side of the liquid crystal display panel 100,which is photographed by each of the infrared cameras 2300, may begreater than half of a length of the long side of the liquid crystaldisplay panel 100. In the exemplary embodiment, a length VL of a regionof a short side of the liquid crystal display panel 100, photographed byeach of the infrared cameras 2300, may be greater than half of a lengthof the short side of the liquid crystal display panel 100.

Since the liquid crystal display panel 100 is 32 inches, the length HLof the region of the long side photographed by each of the infraredcameras 2300 may be 350 mm, and the length VL of the region of the shortside photographed by each of the infrared cameras 2300 may be 192 mm.When the angle θe formed by a virtual line, connecting the liquidcrystal display panel 100 and an upper end of the housing member 1100,and a bottom surface of the liquid crystal display panel 100 is 45°, thedistance De between the housing member 1100 and the liquid crystaldisplay panel 100 may be 107 mm, and the length Le of the portion of thehousing member 1100, protruding from the side surface of the liquidcrystal display panel 100, may be 201 mm.

In an exemplary embodiment, an angle θa formed by a center view-angleline CAL of each of the infrared cameras 2300 and the bottom surface ofthe liquid crystal display panel 100 is 56.2°. A vertical angle of view2*V θ L of each of the infrared cameras 2300 may be 100°, and ahorizontal angle of view 2*H θ L of each of the infrared cameras 2300may be 74°. If angles and lengths are set as described above, the fourinfrared cameras 2300 can photograph the entire top surface region(i.e., the front region) of the liquid crystal display panel 100.

When six infrared cameras 2300 are used in an exemplary embodiment, thelength HL of the region of the long side of the liquid crystal displaypanel 100, photographed by each of the infrared cameras 2300, may be 233mm, and the length VL of the region of the short side of the liquidcrystal display panel 100, photographed by each of the infrared cameras2300, may be 192 mm. Since one more infrared camera is installed neareach of the long sides of the liquid crystal display panel 100 ascompared to the previous embodiment, the length HL of the region of eachlong side of the liquid crystal display panel 100, photographed by eachof the infrared cameras 2300, is reduced.

The angle θe formed by a virtual line, connecting the liquid crystaldisplay panel 100 and an upper end of the housing member 1100, and thebottom surface of the liquid crystal display panel 100 is 45°. An angleθa formed by a center view-angle line CAL of each of the infraredcameras 2300 and the bottom surface of the liquid crystal display panel100 is 50.4°. In an exemplary embodiment, a vertical angle of view 2*V θL of each of the infrared cameras 2300 may be 92°, and a horizontalangle of view 2*H θ L of each of the infrared cameras 2300 may be 64°.If angles and lengths are set as described above, the six infraredcameras 2300 can photograph the entire top surface region (i.e., thefront region) of the liquid crystal display panel 100.

The number of infrared cameras used is not limited to the aboveembodiments and may be increased or reduced. The infrared cameras areinstalled diagonally under the long and short sides of the liquidcrystal display panel 200 to photograph the entire front region of theliquid crystal display panel 100.

In a display system according to an exemplary embodiment, the infraredlight sources 2100 may be installed in an upper region of the liquidcrystal display panel 100 or installed adjacent the infrared cameras2300. The light source units 1300 may be light-emitting diodes.

In an exemplary embodiment, the tilting mold-fixing protrusion 1271 isformed on each of the mold sidewalls 1270 of the mold frame 1200-1 tomaintain the angle θa formed by the center view-angle line CAL of eachof the infrared cameras 2300 and the bottom surface of the liquidcrystal display panel 100 within a predetermined range. In an exemplaryembodiment, a concave groove, cut into each of the mold sidewalls 1270,may be formed. Alternatively, a portion of the housing member 1100 maybe protruded, and each of the infrared cameras 2300 may be placed on anend of the protruding portion of the housing member 1100.

In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of infrared cameras are placedbetween a liquid crystal display panel and a diffusion member. In anexemplary embodiment, the infrared cameras are disposed diagonally underthe liquid crystal display panel to enhance the visibility of the liquidcrystal display panel and reduce a dark portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, each of the infrared cameras is placed suchthat a center view-angle line of each of the infrared cameras tilts withrespect to the liquid crystal display panel, thereby widening aneffective photographing range of each of the infrared cameras.

In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of light source units and aplurality of diffusion members are placed respectively on inner surfacesof sidewalls of a housing member shaped like a pillar whose lower regionis smaller than an upper region (that is, shaped like an upside-downtruncated quadrangular pyramid). In an exemplar embodiment, an infrareddetector is placed in the lower region of the housing member. Therefore,the luminance uniformity and visibility of a liquid crystal display(LCD) can be enhanced, and the object detection capability of theinfrared cameras can be improved.

Since an exemplary embodiment of the present invention inserts thesidewalls of the housing member into concave grooves of couplers, amanufacturing process of the housing member can be simplified.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the intensity ofluminance of light source units in lower side regions of the sidewallsof the housing member increases as compared to those in upper sideregions thereof. Therefore, uniform luminance can be provided to theliquid crystal display panel, and a dark portion created by the infrareddetector in the lower region of the housing member can be removed.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a front surface ofthe liquid crystal display panel is photographed by using a plurality ofinfrared cameras, thereby reducing the thickness of a display system.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is tobe understood that the present invention should not be limited theretoand that various other changes and modifications may be affected thereinby one of ordinary skill in the related art without departing from thescope or spirit of the invention. All such changes and modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the invention.

1. A display system comprising: a housing member having space therein; aplurality of light source units placed in the space of the housingmember; a diffusion member disposed on the light source units; a liquidcrystal display panel disposed on the diffusion member; an infraredcamera unit interposed between the liquid crystal display panel and thediffusion member, the infrared camera unit photographing a front regionof the liquid crystal display panel; and a plurality of infrared lightsources emitting infrared light to the front region of the liquidcrystal display panel.
 2. The display system of claim 1, wherein theinfrared camera unit is placed diagonally under the liquid crystaldisplay panel, and an angle formed by a center view-angle line of theinfrared camera unit and a bottom surface of the liquid crystal displaypanel is about 40° to about 70°.
 3. The display system of claim 2,wherein the angle formed by the center view-angle line of the infraredcamera unit and the bottom surface of the liquid crystal display panelis about 50° to about 60°.
 4. The display system of claim 2, furthercomprising: a mold frame coupled to an upper region of the housingmember and fixing the liquid crystal display panel; an image controllercontrolling an operation of the liquid crystal display panel; and acomputing unit controlling an operation of the infrared camera unit andthe infrared light sources and controlling the image controller based onoutputs of the infrared camera unit.
 5. The display system of claim 4,wherein the mold frame comprises: a body shaped like a four-sidedpolygon, the body fixing and supporting the liquid crystal displaypanel; and mold sidewalls extending downward from edges of the body, andhaving lower ends coupled to the housing member, wherein the infraredcamera unit is placed under the body of the mold frame.
 6. The displaysystem of claim 5, wherein the mold frame comprises a fixing protrusionprotruding from a region of each of the mold sidewalls between thehousing member and the body, or a concave groove cut into a region ofeach of the mold sidewalls between the housing member and the body, andwherein the infrared camera unit is fixed onto the fixing protrusion orthe concave groove, and a surface of the fixing protrusion or theconcave groove, contacting the infrared camera unit, tilts.
 7. Thedisplay system of claim 6, wherein the infrared light sources aredisposed under the diffusion member, on the mold sidewalls of the moldframe, on the fixing protrusion, or the concave groove.
 8. The displaysystem of claim 4, wherein a portion of an upper end region of thehousing member, coupled to the mold frame, protrudes, and the infraredcamera unit is placed on the protruding portion.
 9. The display systemof claim 2, wherein the space within the housing member is larger thanthe liquid crystal display panel, and an angle formed by a virtual line,connecting a lower end of the liquid crystal display panel and an upperend of the housing member, and the bottom surface of the liquid crystaldisplay panel is about 30° to about 55°.
 10. The display system of claim9, wherein a plurality of infrared cameras are placed adjacent each longside, each short side, or long and short sides of the liquid crystaldisplay panel, and the infrared camera unit comprises a mountingsubstrate and an infrared camera mounted on the mounting substrate. 11.The display system of claim 10, wherein the infrared camera unitphotographs an area, corresponding to at least half of a length of along side of the liquid crystal display panel, when the infrared cameraunits are placed adjacent the short side of the liquid crystal displaypanel, and the infrared camera unit photographs an area, correspondingto at least half of a length of a short side of the liquid crystaldisplay panel, when the infrared cameras unit is placed adjacent thelong side of the liquid crystal display panel.
 12. The display system ofclaim 10, wherein the infrared light sources are mounted on the mountingsubstrate.
 13. The display system of claim 2, further comprising a coverunit covering upper edge regions of the liquid crystal display panel,wherein the infrared light sources are disposed under the cover unit.